In a statement, Kejriwal’s party also slammed the “desperate attempt” to find a communal angle in the incident. “The AAP strongly condemns the attempts by the BJP and the affiliates of the Sangh Parivar to communalise this entire incident. The individuals associated with fringe right-wing organisations, that had earlier also tried to create trouble in the heart of Delhi, are making desperate attempts to give a communal colour to this criminal act,” the party said.

BJP’s Delhi unit president Satish Upadhyay said the party had nothing to do with messages that had alleged a communal angle behind the murder. “I am not sure what kind of people are circulating it (messages) on social media. I have not got any such message. It was a tragic incident. A few anti-social elements from the JJ colony committed the crime. We agree a few of them are Muslims but we never gave it a communal colour,” said Upadhyay.

AAP also attacked the Delhi Police, saying the “systematic politicisation of the Delhi Police by the Modi government has turned it into an ineffective force.” “It has been reported that the deceased doctor tried to call up the police control room van following his reported argument with two men on a motorcycle. The entire sequence which led to the gruesome incident clearly highlights lack of proper police patrolling, particularly at night. Increasing stress levels, coupled with lack of local level interactions and complete failure of the police to perform its basic duties led to this gruesome incident,” the party said.

However, AAP lauded Additional Deputy Commissioner (west) Monika Bharadwaj for “coming forward in an upright manner to quell all rumours which could have created communal tension in the area.” The party demanded that those “spreading rumors to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere through the use of social media platforms and word of mouth” should be immediately booked for trying to create communal tension.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee also condemned the incident. “Under no considerations can such a murder be condoned,” she said.

She also said incidents of crimes by youth were rising and it was up to the government to find a way to channelise their energy in a positive direction.